Illinois Shakespeare Festival to Open June 27

“Taming of the Shrew,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” and “Titus Andronicus” are on the program of this summer’s 31st season of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.

The festival will open June 27, and tickets are on sale at the festival box office in the Centennial Building on campus from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or by phone at (309) 438-2535.  The toll-free number is 1-866-457-2453.  Individual and multiple-ticket prices and other information is available at the festival Web site at www.thefestival.org

“Taming of the Shrew” will kick off the season June 27, followed on June 28 by “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).”  “Titus Andronicus” will open on July 18.  Performances of the three plays will rotate Tuesdays through Sundays throughout the season.

The first thing this summer’s festival-goers will notice is the beautifully renovated gardens around the Theatre at Ewing.  The Genevieve Green Gardens, a collaborative project involving the Illinois State University Foundation, Illinois State University and the Fell Arboretum, are named in honor of Genevieve Carlock Green, who died in 1995. Her husband, Bruce V. Green, bequeathed $5.9 million to build a garden in tribute to his wife, who had a profound love of flowers and nature.

As always, festival grounds open at 5 p.m. on performance nights for picnicking.  Patrons can bring their own food or purchase dinner or snacks from Courtyard Concessions on the grounds.  The Green Show, about 45 minutes before the 7:30 p.m. curtain each night, will feature a brief discussion of that night’s play followed by mini-events that include fight demonstrations, comical vignettes and the Madrigal Singers.

Special performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” an abbreviated 45-minute version, are scheduled for a new program for children called “Shakespeare Alive!” at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12 and 26.  Admission is free but tickets are required.  Information is available at (309) 438-8974. 

“The Viola Project: Shakespeare for Girls” will take place on June 23.  Girls 8 to 18 years old will create larger-than-life characters through movement and voice, rehearse scenes and perform a 10-minute version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  The Viola Project, dedicated to empowering young women through the understanding and performance of Shakespeare’s plays, is $55 per person.

Back this year are MooNIE and BrooN, two performance artists with a hilarious and thrilling repertoire.  Two performances are available on July 21: MooNIE performs at 6 p.m. for the kids and both appear at 8 p.m. for adults.  MooNIE (ISU alumnus Philip Johnson) and BrooN (Brian Howard) perform juggling, fire-eating, clowning, music and craziness.  Tickets are available at the box office.

The 8th annual John Stevens Memorial Golf Outing will be on June 5, with a 12:30 p.m. tee time at the Weibring Golf Club.  Proceeds support Shakespeare Alive! and other festival outreach programs.  It also supports the John Stevens Equity Actor each summer.  John Stevens was past-president of the Illinois Shakespeare Society.  More information is available by calling Vanessa Bamber at (309) 438-8974.